Best banana waffles! This banana waffle recipe makes tender waffles that taste like banana bread.
When you have a bunch of overripe bananas and don’t want to make banana bread, homemade banana waffles are a great way to use up those ripe bananas!
These simple banana waffles have some sweetness from the bananas and the caramelized pearl sugar bites. They’re a tasty twist on regular waffles.
This homemade waffle recipe is perfect for breakfast, a great brunch recipe, or a fun change from the classic waffle recipe on your waffle bar.
Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Buttermilk: Regular or low-fat buttermilk is ok. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a homemade buttermilk substitute.
- Bananas: You’ll want to use overripe bananas like you would when making banana bread. I like to use bananas that are yellow with a fair amount of brown speckling on them.
- Pearl Sugar: Pearl sugar can be difficult to find. It’s available online through retailers like Amazon and in specialty stores. If you can’t find pearl sugar, you can break sugar cubes into small chunks in place of the pearl sugar, or you can omit the pearl sugar.
How to make banana waffles
Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk the buttermilk, vanilla, mashed banana, and melted butter together until well-combined.
Tip >> I recommend mixing the batter by hand with a whisk.
Step 2: Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and whisk in just until combined.
Step 3: Grease the waffle iron, and cook the waffles according to your waffle iron’s directions.
Step 4: Carefully remove the waffle. The sugar will caramelize and be very hot.
Recipe Tips!
- Dairy-free: To make the waffles dairy-free, substitute vegetable oil or coconut oil for the butter and use nondairy milk, like almond milk, to make the buttermilk.
- Vegan: To make the waffles vegan, substitute oil for the butter and use nondairy milk, like almond milk, to make the buttermilk.
Topping suggestions
The natural banana flavor and sweet flavor of the sugar give these fluffy waffles enough sweetness that you may want to skip toppings. If you’d like to top the waffles, you could try your favorite toppings or
- Fresh fruit like sliced banana or berries
- Chocolate chips
- Real maple syrup
- Whipped cream
- Powdered sugar
- If you want to add a little extra deliciousness, banana bread waffles are fantastic as a waffle sandwich with a little peanut butter or cream cheese spread in between them.
How to freeze
These fluffy banana waffles freeze well, and freezing is a great way to store leftover waffles. After cooking, place the cooked waffles on a cooling rack to let them cool to room temperature. Place the cooled waffles in a freezer-safe container like a freezer bag.
If stacking the waffles, place a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper between the waffles to keep them from sticking. I reheat homemade waffles in the toaster oven.
More breakfast recipes!
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Banana Waffles
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 2-3 large bananas)
- 2 tablespoons butter melted
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons pearl sugar or about 6 sugar cubes broken into chunks
Instructions
- In a large bowl, stir together buttermilk, vanilla, bananas, and melted butter.
- Add flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, brown sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg to buttermilk mixture, and stir until just combined.
- Spray waffle iron with nonstick cooking spray and add batter according to waffle iron’s directions (I have a 4-square waffle iron, and I used 1 cup of batter per waffle).
- Sprinkle waffle with pearl sugar or broken sugar cubes.
- Cook waffles according to your waffle iron’s directions.
- Be careful removing waffle from iron – the sugar will caramelize and will be extremely hot.
Notes
- Buttermilk: Regular or low-fat buttermilk is ok. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute with this easy recipe.Â
- Bananas: You’ll want to use overripe bananas like you would when making banana bread. I like to use bananas that are yellow with a fair amount of brown speckling on them.
- Pearl Sugar: Pearl sugar can be difficult to find. It’s available online (Amazon) and in specialty stores. If you can’t find pearl sugar, you can break sugar cubes into small chunks in place of the pearl sugar.
- Freezing: I like to place the waffles on a cooling rack to let them cool to room temperature before freezing.Â
- Nutrition values are estimates.Â
Nutrition
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Originally published 3/27/13.
Reader Interactions
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Comments & Reviews
Jackie says
I found you from Marvelous Mondays link party.
kateheartseating says
Thanks for stopping by! I’ll have to check it out. =)
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Hi Kate,
I’m stopping by to say I love making all kinds of waffles from scratch too!
Cindy
kateheartseating says
Thanks so much!! That’s awesome! =)
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Here’s the link for our Host Favorites Post Host Favoritespage where you are featured Check it out after 12:00 pm on 4/8/13!
kateheartseating says
Thanks so much for the feature and for stopping by to leave the link! =)
Shaffer Sisters says
I love waffling things with my kids and love. I am going to pin this and make this with them soon.
kateheartseating says
We love waffles, too! They’re so easy and delicious! Thanks! We’ll have to give it a try. =)
Karyn - Pint Sized Baker says
Whoa! Love this. I’ve got to make this for breakfast… Pinned! Thanks for sharing at Two Cup Tuesday at . I hope you join me on Monday night.
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! And thanks so much for hosting your awesome party each week!! =)
Mackenzie says
Great idea! Another use for our waffle iron; thanks! :) You are a Featured Favorite this week on Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes! We love having you join us and can’t wait to see what you’ve been up to this week!
Mackenzie :)
kateheartseating says
Thanks! And thanks so much for the feature!! That’s awesome! =)
Carrie @ My Favorite Finds says
Waffles are so easy, aren’t they? And the flavors are endless. These look great! Thanks for sharing at Pinworthy Projects.
kateheartseating says
They are super easy! We love them around our house! Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by!! =)
Judy says
Hi Kate,
Very nice photography. I love waffle especially when partnered with cheese :D I am new follower.
kateheartseating says
Thank you so much!! Thanks! I’ll have to check that out! =)
Diana Rambles says
Yummy!!
Angelina - JoJo and Eloise says
Okay I SERIOUSLY nee to come over to your house to eat!! We have a WS waffle maker and never use it!! I must re-think that ;) Thank you for sharing this at Knock our Socks Off!!
xo
Angelina
kateheartseating says
C’mon over any time!! We always have extra. I have an awesome waffle recipe that I haven’t posted (my pictures of the waffles are always baaaaaaad!), so if you bust our your waffle maker and need some other ideas, just let me know! =)
Jenna @ Sensationallyseasonal.com says
These look really yummy and a definite break from the normal grab and go breakfast options. Thanks for sharing!
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! And thanks for coming by! =)
Kim @ Soliloquy Of Food & Such says
I love this idea – I am always looking for on-the-go options.
(Found you on Pint Sized Baker’s link-up.)
kateheartseating says
Thanks! I hope you enjoy the waffles!! Thanks so much for stopping by! =)
Beth @ The First Year Blog says
Can you send some via e-mail?! They look so good!
I am stopping by from the Weekend Creative link party!
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! I wish I could! I’d love to be able to share all of this food! Thanks so much for stopping by! =)
Vanessa says
I love breakfast food and those look so good. Yum!
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! Me too! We eat breakfast for dinner a lot in our house. =)
Paula says
Thanks for sharing at Marvelous Monday – Pinned to my Marvelous Monday board and on FB ~ Paula
kateheartseating says
Thanks so much for hosting and for pinning! =)
designfluff says
What a lovely idea! It looks amazing and so easy for the kids!
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! It just seems like no one has enough time in the mornings, so portable and easy are the way to go! =)
Brooklyn says
These look scrumptious! Saw you on Dessert Now, Dinner Later- I love your blog, Drop on by anytime! xo Brook
kateheartseating says
Thanks so much!! And thanks for stopping by! =)
Simplee Sue says
I love the idea of making different kinds of waffles like this banana bread waffle which sounds wonderful. It could be served with sauteed bananas. I need to try this.
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! There are so many fun ways to make waffles! Sauteed bananas sound delicious! =)
Krista says
You are blowing up the link parties this week with features chica! I think I saw your carrot cake doughnuts featured on like 3 link parties this week. Congrats and awesome job! :) This banana bread waffles look awesome and major bonus points on the “to go” factor. Thanks for sharing! :) Following you now through Facebook!
Krista @ joyfulhealthyeats
kateheartseating says
Thanks!! Yeah, it’s been pretty awesome to see that! I think been the timing with Easter this weekend. When I was working and in school, portability was huge when it came to eating breakfast. Thanks so much for following!! You have a great page, and I’m following you now, too!! =)
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
If I had a waffle pan I would make these right now. I have just pinned them.
Thanks soooooo much for guest posting your amazing Meyer Lemon Curd Bars today at Recipes From A Pantry. What a perfect Easter dessert.
kateheartseating says
I wish I knew of some sort of substitute for a waffle iron! Thanks for asking me to guest post!! =)
Holly says
Oh man another reason why I need to get a waffle maker… of course a bigger kitchen might have to come first! =)
kateheartseating says
Count me in on that bigger kitchen part! =) I have way more kitchen gear than my little kitchen can handle!!